THE WEEK AHEAD | JULY 24-JULY 30

Published: July 24, 2011

Art

Robin Pogrebin

Summer may be a sleepy time for new museum exhibitions, but at least a couple of major institutions are opening shows, and there is also fresh sculpture to be seen in New York City's parks. Starting Sunday the Museum of Modern Art mounts ''TALK TO ME: DESIGN AND THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PEOPLE AND OBJECTS.'' The exhibition focuses on products that involve direct interaction, like information systems, communication devices and ''projects that establish an emotional, sensual, or intellectual connection with their users.'' The objects on view will include some that date back to the late 1960s and others now in development, like new Web sites, video games and furniture.Through Nov. 7; (212) 708-9400, moma.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, starting July 26, turns its attention to FRANS HALS, the Dutch artist born in the 16th century, who was famous for his brushwork. The show will feature 13 Hals paintings, and several works by other Dutch artists that will set his work in the context of his native Haarlem. Through Oct. 10; (212) 535-7710, metmuseum.org.

And those who feel like seeing sculpture by budding artists outdoors can head into the city's parks. The MODEL TO MONUMENT program of the Art Students League of New York has created seven sculptures in Riverside Park South (59th Street to 70th Street) and one collaborative 12-foot steel sculpture at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The work is on display for one year in collaboration with the city Parks Department.

PHOTO: ''Animal Superpowers,'' by Chris Woebken and Kenichi Okada, is part of ''Talk to Me: Design and the Communication Between People and Objects.'' (PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS WOEBKEN)